Dr. Ciro de Quadros, the Sabin Executive Vice-President, recently chaired the meeting of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting on vaccine-preventable diseases. The meeting focused on the progress made in combating vaccinte preventable diseases such as pneumococcal and rotavirus in the region of the Americas. It also examined the emerging threat faced by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus and other issues related to the control and eradication of vaccine preventable diseases.

Soon after Peter Jay Hotez read Microbe Hunters, he convinced his parents to give him a microscope. By 14, he refined his career choice of microbiology to a life-long special interest in tropical diseases. At age 51, that interest continues to be a “passion.” Moreover, he considers those neglected tropical diseases “just as important as HIV/AIDS or malaria,” he says.

Global UpdateParasites: Giving a Deworming Drug to Girls Could Cut H.I.V. Transmission in AfricaThe New York Times

By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.Published: May 25, 2009Giving an inexpensive deworming drug to millions of girls in rural Africa could substantially reduce transmission of the virus that causes AIDS, researchers say.

Every child has the right to a healthy future. Yet throughout the Middle East, vast gaps between rich nations and their less wealthy neighbours persist.

Tragically, one consequence of this inequality has become glaringly evident in the health of our children. While rich Arab states have made massive strides in improving public health, other countries still suffer from high rates of child death.

Washington, D.C., May 2, 2009 – Leading tropical disease experts were featured in the May 2 edition of the medical journal The Lancet stressing the economic, global health and security, developmental and human rights case for investment in Neglected Tropical Disease control even in difficult economic times.